Electrical conductor clamp



Feb. 16, 1965 A. v. TRACY 3,169,818

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR CLAMP Filed Oct. 10, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l Arthur Vincent 77acy IN VENTOR.

Feb. 16, 1965 A. v. TRACY ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR CLAMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10, 1963 Fig. 5

INVENTOR.

UnitedStates Patent a Patented b. 16, 1965 3,169,818 ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR CLAMP Arthur Vincent Tracy, Box 136, New Gretna, N.J., assignor of one-half to Mildred M. Tracy, New Gretna, NJ.

Filed Oct. 10, 1963, Ser. No.- 315,210 Claims. (Cl. 339-266) The instant invention relates generallyto electrical con- I Further, it is a significant object of the instant invention a to provide a device which effects the desired clamping without any danger of shearing or marking the conductor.

In addition, it is an. object of the instant invention to provide a conductor clamp which is generally simple in structure and capable of economic manufacture;

In order to accomplish the above objects, it is intended that the device of the instant invention be formed in two parts or of two members, one rotatably received over the other with 'a conductor receiving passage extending through both'members and having abutment means located therein in a manner so as to, in a first position, allow the insertion of the stripped end of a conductor-and, in a second position, clampingly engage the end of the conductor so as to prevent its withdrawal.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of, construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of. the electrical conductor clamp of the instant invention joining an electric conductor or cable to a terminal post;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of theinvention as illustratedinFlGUREl; I f 7 FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the clamp with the members rotated so as to allow for the introduction of the conductor; v w l FIGURE 4 is an end view of the device in its installed position; a i V a 2 FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional vie'wtaken substantially on a plane passing along line 55 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6-is'a ross sectional-view taken substantially on a plane passingalong line 66 in FIGURE' 1;

FIGURE 7'is anexploded perspective view of the two gripper members ,formingthe clampof'the instant invention;and

' FIGURE-Sis ra crossls ectional view taken substantially on a plauePassing along linei8'8 in FIGURE 2; 1

Referring nowmore specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the elec- .trical conductor clamp comprising theinstant invention,

this clamp being utilized in the joining of an electrical conductor or cable -12'to a terminal post 14, the clamp being-grippingly engaged with the stripped end portion 16 a of the conductor 12 and fastened to the terminal post 14 by suitable means such as the nut 18. a

The clamp 10 of the instant invention consists solely of two gripper members Hand 22. The first 'or lower gripper member 20'includes a flat generally rectangular base 24 having two'vertically extending spaced parallel walls 26 and 28 integral with one end portion of the base approximately one-half of the. area thereof positioned forward of the forward end Silof the base 24, the rear edge 32 of each of these walls'projecting tangentially downward from the rearmost point on the circumference of the walls and perpendicular to the fiat base 24. One of these walls, wall 26, is provided with an arcuate notch or recess 34 at its upper end, the purpose of which shall be gone into subsequently. 7

With reference specifically to the cross sectional views of FIGURES 3 and 5 and the perspective view of FIG- URE 7, it will be noted that a transversely extending raised and forwardly projected bottom wall 36 is provided between the spaced parallel walls 26 and 28. The top surface 38 of this bottom wall 36 slopes downwardly and forwardly from a rear convex edge or camming surface 4@ located slightly forward of the vertical plane of the rear edges 32 of the side walls 26 and 28. The forward edge of this top surface 38 terminates coextensively with the adjoining walls 26 and 28 with the bottom surface 42 of the forwardly projecting portion of the bottom wall 36 following the curvature of the walls 26 and 28 and terminating in'the front edge 30 of the base 24.

The second or upper gripper member 22 includes a fiat base 44, a vertically extending wall 46 integral with the forward end of the base 44, and an arcuately formed forwardly and downwardly extending portion 48 integral with the upper end of the vertical wall 46 and having a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the walls 26 and 28, this portion 48 being of a width so as to span both walls 26 and 28 and the space therebetween. Aligned apertures 50 and 52 are providedthrough both the forwall 46, these apertures 50 and 52 being of a size so as to enable theintroduction of the cable end 16 therethrough. In addition, with reference to FIGURES 3, 5 and 8, it

will be noted that a projection or abutment 54, integrally formed with the gripper member 22, is located so as'to extend radially inwardly from the top of the arcuate portion 48 between the side edges thereof in a manner so as to allow for its reception between the walls 26 and 28 in the assembled clamp. Inasmuch as this projection or abutment 54 is to directly engage the conductor end 16,

the lower end thereof is arcuately or convexly formed so as to prevent any damage to the conductor 12 while still providing for the desired clamping engagement and shall be gone into in detail presently.

The upper gripper or clamping member 22 is engaged with the lower member Ztlby a lateral movement of one relative to the other, the abutment projection 54 entering into the space between the walls 26 and 28 through the recess or notch 34 in the wall 26'. As will be appreciated from a comparison of FIGURES 3 and 5, the terminal edge 56 of the arcuate portion 48 is located so as to al low for a rotational 'movement of the member 22 relative to the membervzti between a first position wherein this edge'56 abuts against-the forward edge 30 of the' base '24, and a second position wherein :the base 4% is positioned-in engagement with the upper surface of the ter line-conforming to the sloping surface 38 with the surface 38 being generally in'the-pla'neof the lowermost I 24. These walls '26 and 28,"a's will be appreciated from i the drawings, arefgenerallycircular in shape, and have I base 24, the inner vertical surface of the wall 46 engaging against the vertical edges 32 of the side walls 26 and 28' 7 thus further rigidifying the closedor' gripping position of the clamp 10. i

In utilizing the clamp 1d of .tlie instant invention, the member 22, is first rotatably engaged with the member 20 and subsequently rotated to the'first position illustrated in FIGURE 3 wherein the aligned apertures 54 and 52 are orientated along a generally downwardly angled cen- I apertures Strand 5 2 and the passage or space between the walls 21and "Ziha slight 16 allowing for its movement past the abutment projection 54. "After the conductor end 16 has been inserted, i

compressing of the upper member 22 is rotated to the position illustrated in FIGURES l and 5 which results in an engagement of the conductor 'end lo the convex'cammirig surface the cable and i .40 resulting in a'compression of the'end 16 between the surface dip/the projection 54 andthat portion or the vet I tical walled, indicated byreference' HUIIIB131"58, located immediately above the inner end of theaperture 52 thus providing for" a'three point engagement productive of a firm clamping of the cable end 16. In t'nis position, the

i clamp ltl is positioned so as .to locate the. terminal 14- thr'ough aligned apertures 69- and '62, one in each ofthe flat bases 24 and 44, with the bases being sccuredto the terminal 14 by the nut 18. As will be appreciated, such an arrangement provides for a simple though'highly novel connecting of an electricalconductonto a terminal post, 'this' connection being simply effected and extremely efiicient. I The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. 'Further, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur tothose to the exact construction'and operation shown a'ndjd'ee ,iscribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope a pair'of spaced parallel generallylcircular walls projecting'from the base, and an abutment means extending upwardly from said base between the parallel walls, said second gripper member including a relatively wide arcu ately formed portion rotatably engaged over the walls grippermember projects outward from between the parallel'wallsfsaid second gripper member including a fiat base projecting outwardly 'frorn-the arcu'ately' formed, portion into overlying relationship 'with'the first mentioned base in said second position, said bases having aligned apertures therethrough, and releasable fastener means extending through the base apertures for securing a saidsecond gripper member to in the second position;,

V base, and fixed abutment means positioned transversely on the baseand projecting upwardly therefrom, said Q second gripper member including a base, a generally verf r tical wall projecting upwardly from one end of the second member base, said second member ibase being po'si tinned on the first member base ,with the vertical wall to skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention 7 one side of the abutment means, a'walljportion integral 'with the upper end of thevertical wall and projecting forwardlythe'r'efrom' in spaced relation above'said abutment means, second abutment means fixed toland de-. 7 endingfrom the forwardly projecting wall portion to wardj the general plane of the first abutment means and on the other side thereof from the vertical wall, said for wardly' projecting wallportion terminating in a depending portion adjustably engaged with the first gripper member in'a manner so as to allow an upward pivoting oiithe second gripper member along with the vertical wall and forwardly projecting wallportion, and consequently the second abutment means, andapair: of aligned apertures through the vertical wall and the depending portion,

a said apertures being aligned. with the space between the two abutment means so as to form a through passage for fthe introduction of a conductor between the two abutand enclosing the space ther'ebetween, a pair of aligned v v apertures through said portion, one aperture'being aligned with and communicated with each end of the space between the parallel'walls for enabling theintroduction of aconductor therethrough, a second abutment; mean on v V saidsecond grippermember extending downwardly be ;tween' the parallel walls and generally toward the first abutment means, said second gripper member being re;

tatable'between a firstposition wherein said second abutment means is positioned relative to the first abutment means a distance suificient so as to allow for the aforementioned introduction of the conductor through theap'erg tures and passage, anda second position wherein said second abutment means ispositioned relative to the first abut- 2; The devic'e of claim '1 including: a recessinonetQf V the first gripper member walls of a site so as to allow for thepassage of the second abutment means therethrough,

thereby enabling a lateral engagementandidisengagernent' member in the'se'cond position;

7 a 1 a 3 72 1; a ple device'ofclaim l wherein the iba seiof the; first a i ment means and through the two apertures, said second gripper member being pivotal between a first position wherein said second abutment means is positioned relative to the first abutment means a distance sufiicient so as' to allow for the aforementioned introduction of the conductor between the abutment means and through" the apertures, 'and a second position 'whereinp said second abutment means is positioned" relative to'tli'e' first abutment'meansin a tmanne'r'so asfto elfect a 'clampingo'f the conductor therebetween, the portion of thejtve'r'tical 1 wall defining the upper limit of the aperture therethrough V effecting a clamping of the conductor between this portion and the first abutment means when the second gripper member is in the second position thereby effecting a f three point clamping of the-conductor with the first abut: V mentmeans in a manner so as to effect a clampingofthe t conductor'therebetween.

ment means engaged with one side oi the conductor, and

with the second abutmentimeans and the aperture de fining portion of thevertical wall, located to each side of the first abutment means; engaged with the opposite side of the conductorg 1 i V f 1 A t r Refr'eiences (-Ijtedlin ,fil'e this patent U EDS T SI PA ENISI Lanfear. V

2,700,807: Petersen 2,752,583 Tracy IShuck et a1.

the'first' gripper member Junefl, 19:5 4 Justin-s 

5. A CONDUCTOR CLAMP COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND GRIPPER MEMBERS, SAID FIRST GRIPPER MEMBER INCLUDING A BASE, AND FIXED ABUTMENT MEANS POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY ON THE BASE AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID SECOND GRIPPER MEMBER INCLUDING A BASE, A GENERALLY VERTICAL WALL PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM ONE END OF THE SECOND MEMBER BASE, SAID SECOND MEMBER BASE BEING POSITIONED ON THE FIRST MEMBER BASE WITH THE VERTICAL WALL TO ONE SIDE OF THE ABUTMENT MEANS, A WALL PORTION INTEGRAL WITH THE UPPER END OF THE VERTICAL WALL AND PROJECTING FORWARDLY THEREFROM IN SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID ABUTMENT MEANS, SECOND ABUTMENT MEANS FIXED TO AND DEPENDING FROM THE FORWARDLY PROJECTING WALL PORTION TOWARD THE GENERAL PLANE TO THE FIRST ABUTMENT MEANS AND ON THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF FROM THE VERTICAL WALL, SAID FORWARDLY PROJECTING WALL PORTION TERMINATING IN A DEPENDING PORTION ADJUSTABLY ENGAGED WITH THE FIRST GRIPPER MEMBER IN A MANNER SO AS TO ALLOW AN UPWARD PIVOTING OF THE SECOND GRIPPER MEMBER ALONG WITH THE VERTICAL WALL AND FORWARDLY PROJECTING WALL PORTION, AND CONSEQUENTLY THE SECOND ABUTMENT MEANS, AND A PAIR OF ALIGNED APERTURES THROUGH THE VERTICAL WALL AND THE DEPENDING PORTION, SAID APERTURES BEING ALIGNED WITH THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO ABUTMENT MEANS SO AS TO FORM A THROUGH PASSAGE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE TWO ABUTMENT MEANS AND THROUGH THE TWO APERTURES, SAID SECOND GRIPPER MEMBER BEING PIVOTAL BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN SAID SECOND ABUTMENT MEANS IS POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE FIRST ABUTMENT MEANS A DISTANC SUFFICIENT SO AS TO ALLOW FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED INTRODUCTION OF THE CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE ABUTMENT MEANS AND THROUGH THE APERTURES, AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID SECOND ABUTMENT MEANS IS POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE FIRST ABUTMENT MEANS IN A MANNER SO AS TO EFFECT A CLAMPING OF THE CONDUCTOR THEREBETWEEN, THE PORTION OF THE VERTICAL WALL DEFINING THE UPPER LIMIT OF THE APERTURE THERETHROUGH EFFECTING A CLAMPING OF THE CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THIS PORTION AND THE FIRST ABUTMENT MEANS WHEN THE SECOND GRIPPER MEMBER IS IN THE SECOND POSITION, THEREBY EFFECTNG A THREE POINT CLAMPING OF THE CONDUCTOR WITH THE FIRST ABUTMENT MEANS ENGAGED WITH ONE SIDE OF THE CONDUCTOR, AND WITH THE SECOND ABUTMENT MEANS AND THE APERTURE DEFINING PORTION OF THE VERTICAL WALL, LOCATED TO EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST ABUTMENT MEANS, ENGAGED WITH THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CONDUCTOR. 